Author: Eduard Nalbandian

Exploring The Complexities Of The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Eduard Nalbandian

March 8 2023


  • Alessia Canuto
  • March 8, 2023

On Sunday, five people were murdered in a gunfight between Azerbaijani soldiers and Armenian police officers in Nagorno-Karabakh, an area of Azerbaijan where most of the population is Armenian. Three of the fatalities were Armenian police officers, and the other two were Azerbaijani soldiers.

The incident occurred when the Azerbaijani army stopped an Armenian police vehicle on the Lachin corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Azerbaijani activists who claim to be protesting against unlawful mining extraction have been blocking the road, which the army claimed the Armenian police were not authorized to use, since December. The Armenian police car was allegedly moving weapons to some remote regions of the country, according to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence.

The Armenian foreign ministry dismissed these claims as rubbish and claimed that the vehicle contained service weapons and some paperwork.

The territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh has embroiled the South Caucasus for many years. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars for control over the region, resulting in thousands of deaths, beginning in the late 1980s when the majority-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast territory inside the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic stated its intention to leave Azerbaijan and join Armenia. Whereas Armenia, a mostly Christian nation, views Nagorno-Karabakh as a cultural and historical bulwark, Azerbaijan, a country with a considerable Muslim population, has traditionally seen the region as a part of its territory, and the two parties have been locked in fierce competition since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute quickly became violent, killing tens of thousands, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, and devastating most of the area’s infrastructure.

After a truce in 1994, the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, supported by Armenia, gained control of most of the disputed region. But the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan persisted, and fights have broken out intermittently over the years. In September 2020, Azerbaijan further worsened the area’s tensions when it mounted a significant military effort to retake the region, handily winning the 44-day conflict and taking control of large chunks of the disputed territory, including several important cities and villages. When another round of fighting broke out in September 2022, Russian peacekeepers were sent to keep an eye over the situation, and Armenia did agree to a ceasefire. However, the article “Upholding the Ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” published by the International Crisis Group Q&A, explains that although a ceasefire for the 2022 conflict was reached, violent crimes continue unabatedly.

The Nagorno-Karabakh war is intricate and multifaceted. Historical and ethnic rivalries, territorial disputes, and geopolitical concerns have all contributed to its protracted nature, and the involvement of foreign powers with interests in the region, such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran, has also intensified the conflict. Despite the formidable challenge of resolving these tensions, however, Armenia and Azerbaijan must come to compromise and make concessions in order to peacefully resolve their dispute, which has brought about great suffering for the local population and shaken the South Caucasus as a whole. The international community can be vital in facilitating dialogue and assisting attempts to end the confrontation, but long-lasting peace in the area can only happen with continuous work and a dedication to communication.

Congressional Armenian Caucus seeks $150 million in US aid for Artsakh and Armenia

Eduard Nalbandian
March 7, 2023 ANCA ANCA News 0


WASHINGTON, DC – With Azerbaijan’s blockade against Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) entering its third month and amid Aliyev’s escalating attacks on Armenian civilians, the ANCA is rallying community and coalition support for a Congressional Armenian Caucus request to stop US military aid to Azerbaijan and send at least $150 million in assistance to Artsakh and Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The request comes in the form of a letter to Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations Chairman Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member Barbara Lee (D-CA), who have already begun crafting the US House version of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) foreign aid bill.

“Well over a hundred thousand Armenians and allied Americans have already asked their US Representatives to stop US military aid to oil-rich Azerbaijan and send American humanitarian assistance to at-risk Artsakh – a powerful groundswell of grassroots activism from all fifty US states and across the American political spectrum,” said ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian. “With Azerbaijan’s blockade now well into its third month and Aliyev steadily escalating his deadly aggression, we all need to step up – meeting with legislators, leveraging coalitions, and relentlessly writing, calling and tweeting to demand concrete action from the elected officials who come asking for our votes every election.”

In a “Dear Colleague” letter sent to Members of Congress, Congressional Armenian Caucus founding co-chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) noted, “Meaningful increases in assistance to Armenia for important priorities – including supporting populations displaced as a result of Azerbaijan’s aggression and impacted by the blockade of the Lachin Corridor – are essential to ensuring the stabilization of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and paving a pathway towards lasting peace and security in the region.”

The letter includes the following budgetary requests:

— $100 million for security, economic, governance and rule of law assistance to Armenia

— $50 million for Artsakh to provide a comprehensive assistance strategy and support the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh in their rebuilding and resettlement efforts – along with an additional $2 million for humanitarian demining and UXO clearance.

— The suspension of all US military and security aid to Azerbaijan and a State Department assessment of potential sanctions against Azeri officials found to have supported human rights abuses and war crimes.

— Language supporting the Administration’s efforts to secure the release of Armenian POWs illegally held by Azerbaijan.

The ANCA has launched an action platform through which pro-Armenian advocates can write, tweet and call their US Representative to cosign the Congressional letter.

The full text of the Armenian Caucus letter is provided below.

#####

Dear Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Lee:

We write to thank the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for your longstanding support of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). This includes the important language you incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2023 bill, providing $60 million in funding for Armenia, $2 million in demining assistance for Artsakh, and an assistance strategy for addressing the humanitarian needs from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We ask that you build on these historic investments by considering the inclusion of the below provisions that will help strengthen America’s standing with partner countries in the region and hold Azerbaijan accountable for its ongoing hostilities in Artsakh and Armenia, including the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor. The blockade has intentionally deprived Artsakh’s 120,000 Armenians of essential good, including food, fuel, medical supplies, electricity, and internet access.

Robust U.S. Assistance in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)

Azerbaijan’s inhumane blockade of Artsakh has left the region’s Armenian population on the brink of a humanitarian crisis and threatens to have lasting consequences on the region’s security. These cruel actions are taking place as the people of Artsakh continue to face severe hardships caused by the deadly 44-day war Azerbaijani forces launched in 2020. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 88 percent of the approximately 90,000 refugees displaced to Armenia were women, children, and the elderly. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also acknowledges that an “acute humanitarian crisis” continues for many of these families, including those who have been able to return to Artsakh. Unfortunately, the assistance provided to date by the U.S. government is wholly insufficient to address the overwhelming needs of these people.

The U.S. has historically promoted peace in Artsakh through U.S. government-funded landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts and enabled rebuilding by investing in humanitarian assistance initiatives. We are requesting the State Department and USAID to deliver on the humanitarian assistance strategy mandated in the FY23 Appropriations Bill that lives up to our American humanitarian commitments. This vital package would help provide Armenian refugees with the aid, housing, food security, water and sanitation, health care, rehabilitation, and demining/UXO clearance they need to reconstruct their communities, rebuild their lives, and resettle their homes.

We urge you to include the following provisions in the body of the foreign aid bill:

·     Of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less than $2,000,000 shall be made available for assistance in Nagorno-Karabakh to provide humanitarian demining and UXO clearance and $50,000,000 shall be made available to support rebuilding and resettlement efforts by Armenian victims in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as address the long-term consequences of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Such assistance will help to meet basic human needs, including maternal healthcare, drinking water programs, as well as food and energy security and access to internet.

Security, Economic, and Governance Assistance for Armenia

The United States remains uniquely positioned to make important diplomatic advances in the South Caucasus. This is especially true in Armenia, an ancient nation with a modern democracy that continues to make democratic reforms in a region dominated by autocratic leaders. Providing significant assistance to Armenia will help make it more secure, bolster its democracy, sustain economic development, and stabilize its civil society. Providing security assistance to Armenia at this time is especially important as the Armenian people seek international assistance in protecting their sovereignty in the face of a constant Azerbaijani expansionism and authoritarianism.

This critical investment will build on past support for Armenia and Artsakh by the Subcommittee and will help strengthen the U.S.-Armenia strategic partnership, solidify our presence, and grow our influence in the region. We request the following language be included in this legislation:

·     Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $100 million shall be made available for Armenia prioritizing security assistance, economic development, private sector productivity, energy independence, democracy and the rule of law, and other purposes.

Prohibition on U.S. Military Aid to Azerbaijan and Sanctions

Despite assurances by the State Department that U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan has not materially aided aggression against Armenia and Artsakh, it is abundantly clear that the continued waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, amidst Azerbaijan’s unabated policy of aggression, has emboldened this violent pattern of behavior.

President Ilham Aliyev began his brutal 2020 assault on Artsakh not long after receiving over $100 million in security assistance through the Section 333 Building Partner Capacity Program in Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019. Azerbaijani forces used advanced Turkish drones, cluster munitions, and white phosphorus to indiscriminately attack homes, churches, and hospitals that killed thousands during the 44-day war. While a ceasefire halting the war was signed in November 2020, Azerbaijani forces continue their aggressive behavior in the region. This includes an assault on Armenia’s sovereign territory in September 2022, which saw Azerbaijani forces occupy over 50 square miles of territory and perpetrate horrific war crimes such as the execution of unarmed Armenian prisoners of war.

The blockade of the Lachin Corridor that Azerbaijan imposed on December 12, 2022, is designed to deny the region’s Armenian population access to essential humanitarian goods and clearly highlights the Aliyev regime’s unwillingness to seriously negotiate a fair, lasting peace deal. It is imperative that our government stops rewarding behavior that undermines our interests in ensuring a negotiated settlement for this crisis and that we respect the fundamental rights of Artsakh’s vulnerable Armenian population.

The Section 333 funding, along with other U.S. funding to Azerbaijan through the IMET and FMF programs breaks with an over two-decades long policy of parity in security assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan, significantly increasing American support for the authoritarian Aliyev regime. In fact, according to a January 31, 2022, report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the State Department likely violated Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in sending this and other assistance to Azerbaijan from 2014 to 2021. They did so by not properly consulting and communicating with Congress on what processes they used to determine whether U.S. aid to Azerbaijan could be used for offensive purposes against Armenia.

Holding Azerbaijan accountable is long overdue and must begin with Congress encouraging the Administration to fully enforce Section 907, restricting the Administration’s authority to waive this law, and enacting statutory prohibitions on any new or pending U.S. military or security aid to Azerbaijan. Congress must also urge the Administration to provide a report on Azerbaijan’s eligibility for military assistance under the Leahy Laws. We request that the following language be included in the final SFOPs bill:

·     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act may be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan through U.S. military or security assistance programs. To inform the reevaluation of any future security assistance to Azerbaijan, the Secretary of State is directed to provide a report on Azerbaijan’s eligibility for military assistance programs under existing statutes. Additionally, the Secretary of State is directed to develop and submit to the Committee on Appropriations an assessment of the eligibility of Azerbaijani officials involved in the commissioning of human rights abuses and war crimes under existing statutes.

Armenian Prisoners of War and Captured Civilians

On November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia signed a tripartite statement to end the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, where all parties agreed that the ‘‘exchange of prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees as well as the remains of the fatalities shall be carried out.” However, the Government of Azerbaijan continues to detain an estimated 130 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detained persons, misrepresenting their status to justify their continued captivity. We request that the following language be included in the final SFOPs bill:

·     The Committee is concerned by Azerbaijan’s failure to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians and, thus, (2) urges the Secretary of State to continue engaging at all levels with Azerbaijani authorities, including through the OSCE Minsk Group process, to make clear the importance of adhering to their obligations, under the November 9 statement and international law, to immediately release all prisoners of war and captured civilians.

Again, thank you for your leadership on the Subcommittee. We appreciate your consideration of these requests.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


PM Pashinyan, OSCE Minsk Group French Co-chair emphasize immediate implementation of ICJ decision by Baku

Eduard Nalbandian

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 19:01, 6 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the French Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Brice Roquefeuil, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister drew the attention of the French Co-chair to the fact of the sabotage attack carried out by the Azerbaijani armed forces in Nagorno Karabakh on March 5, as a result of which three officers of the passport and visa department of the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Nagorno Karabakh were killed and one was injured.

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the actions of the Azerbaijani sabotage group cannot be described as anything other than terrorism and added that parallel to the blocking the Lachin Corridor and the actions aimed at provoking a humanitarian disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh for almost three months, Azerbaijan continues the actions of terrorizing the Armenian population of Artsakh with the ultimate goal of accomplishing ethnic cleansing.

Both sides emphasized the need for Azerbaijan to immediately implement the decision of the International Court of Justice on unblocking the Lachin Corridor.

At the same time, the Prime Minister added that, under the existing conditions, sending an international fact-finding team to the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno Karabakh becomes a vital necessity.

Issues related to the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Nagorno Karabakh issue were also discussed.

At the same time, the importance of the activity of the EU civilian mission in Armenia was emphasized, which will contribute to regional stability and peace.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reports casualties from clashes in Karabakh

Eduard Nalbandian
 TASS 
Russia – March 5 2023
The ministry stated that the Azerbaijani side has received information indicating that weapons, ammunition, and personnel are being delivered along country roads from Armenian territory to Karabakh

BAKU, March 5. /TASS/. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense reported a number of deaths and injuries as a result of the clash in Karabakh on Sunday.

According to the statement, “on March 5, units of the Azerbaijani army attempted to stop an Armenian car that was carrying out illegal deliveries of military cargo for inspection.” “The car passengers opened fire on our troops. Both sides have casualties and injured as a result of the clash,” the ministry said.

The ministry stated that the Azerbaijani side has received information indicating that weapons, ammunition, and personnel are being delivered along country roads from Armenian territory to Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani defense ministry stated that the incident “confirms the need for Azerbaijan to establish an appropriate checkpoint on the Lachin-Khankendi road,” and also blamed Armenia’s military-political leadership for the incident.

https://tass.com/world/1584977

Turkish press: Turkish citizens of Armenian origin in quake-hit village ask for aid to be delivered to needier regions

Eduard Nalbandian
Tahir Turan Eroglu and Ibrahim Aktas   |17.02.2023


HATAY, Türkiye

Heartened by the help they have gotten since last week’s powerful earthquakes, a group of Turkish citizens of Armenian origin in Hatay, southern Türkiye are now asking that aid be diverted to areas of greater need.

Although luckily no lives were lost as a result of the last week’s quakes, the village of Vakifli in the Samandag district, population 130, saw some 30 residents fled the region for Istanbul out of fear following aftershocks.

Berc Kartun, the administrative head of Vakifli, told Anadolu that locals experienced great fear after the Feb. 6 quakes and shied away from entering their homes due to follow-up shocks.

Thanks to a passenger bus, organized by the Istanbul-based Armenian patriarchate, around 45 people – 30 locals and 15 others from nearby Iskenderun – left the area.

Saying that aid has poured into the village since the first day after the quakes, Kartun thanked all those who gave so generously. “Honestly, I didn’t expect that much. Good job, we have many benefactors in Türkiye.”

Also praising officials for their efforts to help quake victims, he said: “They ask if we need anything more. So we’re very good, we don’t need anything (more).

“They called us from everywhere, from municipalities, from the Turkish Red Crescent to help,” he added. Kartun said they turned this aid down, saying: “Give (it) to those in need, we’ve got enough.”

“There’s no point in hoarding, it’s better if it reaches those who need it. We have enough supplies for about a month right now,” he added.

Kartun said he hopes Türkiye’s southernmost Hatay, also known as the “city of civilizations,” where people from all nationalities live in brotherhood, will return to its former glory as soon as possible.

Explaining that locals stay in the closed area of a tea garden in the village, Kartun said: “We gathered all our friends there. They don’t eat or drink at home. We set up our own kitchen here, we cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner ourselves with the supplies from the donations.”

Ohannes Keskin, another local, also expressed his gratitude to the village’s benefactors, calling the aid given to Vakifli “incredible.”

The delegation led by the Minister of Culture of Italy visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

Eduard Nalbandian

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 18:25, 22 February 2023

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. On February 22, the delegation led by the Minister of Culture of Italy, Gennaro Sangiuliano, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Alfred Kocharyan, the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations and Diaspora Arkadi Papoyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Italy Tsovinar Hambardzumyan and the Ambassador of Italy to Armenia Alfonso di Riso.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Harutyun Marutyan, director of the AGMI, welcomed the guests and presented the history of the creation of the memorial complex. He also referred to the three khachkars (cross-stones) placed in the Tsitsernakaberd area in memory of the Armenians who fell victim to the massacres organized by the Azerbaijani government in the cities of Sumgait, Kirovabad (Gandzak), Baku at the end of the last century, and the stories of the five freedom fighters buried in the area of the memorial complex during the Artsakh war, stressing the connection between what happened and the Armenian Genocide.

Mr. Gennaro Sangiuliano laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, then the guests placed flowers near the eternal fire and observed a minute of silence in memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The guests also toured the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute, where they got acquainted with the permanent and temporary exhibitions accompanied by the senior tour guide of AGMI, Angel Tevekelyan.

At the end of the visit, Shushan Khachatryan, a senior researcher at the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute, presented the guests from Italy with the exclusive documents about Father Salvatore Lilli (1853-1895), in which Salvatore Lilli, as an eyewitness, also describes the Ottoman Empire’s repressions against the Armenian population.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Tajikistan

Eduard Nalbandian

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 18:36,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Tajikistan, ARMENPRESS reports, the Iranian IRNA agency said.

According to the China Seismological Center, the shakings were recorded on the border between Tajikistan and China, not far from Xinjiang. The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.2.

Tajikistan has not yet provided information on possible victims and devastations.

Opinion on Armenian-Turkish relations

Eduard Nalbandian
Feb 24 2023
  • Armine Martirosyan
  • Yerevan

Armenian-Turkish relations

The devastating earthquake in Turkey has brought about a renaissance of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey. For the first time in 30 years, the Turkish border was opened to allow Armenian humanitarian convoys to enter the country. It has been closed by Turkey since 1993 unilaterally.

A delegation led by the Armenian foreign minister went to Ankara to “demonstrate support for Turkey.” The Armenian Foreign Ministry announced its readiness to “improve bilateral cooperation, fully regulate relations with Turkey, establish diplomatic relations and fully open the borders between the countries.” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was more cautious, saying there was an agreement to “accelerate measures to normalize relations.”

There is no particular optimism in the expert community of Armenia, and they do not expect full and speedy normalization of relations. Some believe that “the difficult situation after the natural disaster will for some time pacify Turkey’s political ambitions and suspend the impulses of dominance in the region.” Others are sure that “no matter what situation Turkey finds itself in, it will not give up its expansionist appetites.”

  • Armenian assistance to Turkey
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“After the earthquake we are working with Turkey, which in the coming months will need serious support from the leading countries of the world, primarily the United States and the European Union. Turkey will try to fulfill what the US and the European Union expect from it, including relations with its neighbors, as far as it is consistent with its strategy. It is in this context that Ankara’s warming towards Armenia should be considered.

In 1991 after the collapse of the USSR Turkey recognized Armenia, but still refuses to establish diplomatic relations. Since 1993, Turkey has unilaterally closed its air and land borders with Armenia. Through the efforts of the world community, the air border was opened in 1995 but the land border is still closed.

But Armenia is also interested in this process, since Turkey is in any case a very important player in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, as well as in the security of Armenia and the entire region as a whole. In addition, Armenia wants to show that it is a civilized country that follows the humanitarian principles accepted in the civilized world.

But this warming is still temporary, and Turkey will by no means revise its strategic ideas about relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia and its role in the region as a whole.

How much this rather superficial process of warming will deepen today can be judged by what developments will be, what will be the results and how much public opinion will change in both countries.

At the moment, any serious expectations are misplaced. But it is needed that both parties to participate in this process with hope for a better future.”

The first round of Armenian-Turkish negotiations has taken place in Moscow today. Here is what we know so far and how experts assess the first meeting of special representatives

Armenian-Turkish relations

“At this stage, what is still realistic is what is called “normalization of relations” in the form of an open border operating in a certain agreed regime, as well as diplomatic relations that exist between neighboring countries, regardless of how much their strategic and geopolitical interests coincide.

The most relevant example is the interaction between the USSR and Japan, between which there were normal relations. There was a functioning border, diplomatic relations, mutual trade, mutual economic projects. But this does not mean that relations between the Soviet Union, and later Russia and Japan, have been resolved. Territorial disputes between them, for example, remained unresolved.

I see the maximum task at this stage in achieving precisely such relations that were between the USSR and Japan.

The fourth meeting of Armenian -Turkish special representatives has shed some light on the ongoing process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations – so what to expect next?

Armenian-Turkish relations

“Normalization of relations does not imply resolution of all contradictions and agreement on all issues. At a minimum, the topic of genocide will remain relevant, even if for some period, due to some subjective ideas and decisions of the authorities of this period, it is not on the surface. This issue cannot be forgotten, and reasonable people in Turkey are well aware of this. The maximum that they can expect from Armenia is more or less passive behavior of the Armenian authorities.

The Armenian Genocide occurred in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 in which over one million Armenians were killed. Armenia and several Western countries and organizations officially recognize those events as genocide. Turkey categorically refuses.

Over the past 30 years, we have had periods when the Armenian authorities did not directly participate in the process of international recognition of the genocide. And, conversely, there were periods when they were the instigators of this process.

Changes of mood will take place for a long time, but it is pointless to expect a final solution to the problem in Turkey’s conception, so that Armenia consigns the genocide to oblivion.”

Taboos surrounding the genocide began to change in 1965

Armenian-Turkish relations

“Before the earthquake in Turkey, Azerbaijan played a decisive role in the Armenian-Turkish relations. Turkey would not take any step without the consent of Baku. That is why the bilateral talks between the special representatives of Armenia and Turkey gave modest results.

After the Karabakh war in the early 1990s, Turkey put forward a number of preconditions for opening the land border and establishing diplomatic relations. One of them was the return to Azerbaijan of the areas under the control of the unrecognized NKR. This condition is no longer valid, since these territories are already under the control of Azerbaijan after the second Karabakh war in 2020.

Talk about the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations intensified after the war. In December 2021, Yerevan and Ankara announced their readiness to take steps to resolve them. Countries have appointed special representatives for this process. They met four times, and there has been no significant progress on the results of the talks yet. Although they are held in a bilateral format, the Turkish side emphasizes that they are coordinating their agenda with Baku.

After the earthquake, despite the fact that the Azerbaijani factor continues to be quite strong, Turkey will have to take into account other factors too. Turkey’s relations with the West will play an important role.“

Armenian media are discussing information that by the end of this year direct air cargo transport between Turkey and Armenia may begin

Armenian-Turkish relations

“The intention of Armenia and Turkey to open the land border today concerns only citizens of third countries. But it should be noted that this is an important stage towards the full opening of the border. Today, of course, this is a kind of symbolic decision, but tomorrow perhaps it will be otherwise.

In July last year, the special representatives for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey reached an agreement

  • “to ensure the possibility of crossing the Armenian-Turkish land border for citizens of third countries,
  • start direct air transportation of goods between Armenia and Turkey”.

On January 6, 2023, Turkey informed Armenia about the lifting of the ban on direct air transportation of goods. The first point is still not implemented.

Now there are tens of thousands of Russian citizens in Armenia, among whom there will be many who want to travel by car to Turkey.

A significant part of the expats are wealthy people who can rent a car and go to Turkey.

The coincidence of a number of such factors will contribute to the fact that the decision on the possibility of third-country nationals to travel from Armenia to Turkey along the land border will cease to be symbolic and will have practical significance. And depending on the development of events, the issue of providing an opportunity for the citizens of Armenia and Turkey to cross the border in one direction or another will become more and more relevant.”

The official statement at the end of the talks says that negotiators discussed not only steps to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey, but also regional processes

Armenian-Turkish relations

“Since reconstruction work on a huge scale is coming and will continue in Turkey after the elections, Erdogan will urgently need the support of the West. So elections cannot become a turning point, and regardless of whether Erdogan remains or power passes to the opposition, the Western factor will continue to play a serious role.

General elections (parliamentary and presidential) in Turkey are scheduled for May 14. After the earthquake Erdogan was asked to postpone them, but the date was not changed. If Erdogan wins, he will be in his fourth term.

He is a rather flexible politician, as we have repeatedly seen this over the past quarter of a century. And Erdogan will follow a course that will be in line with Turkey’s national interests. But if relations with the West that the country had before 2010 are restored, then it will be possible to count on some warming of relations with Armenia as well.”

Turkologist Suren Manukyan discusses the possibility and the conditions necessary for normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations

“Regional cooperation depends on what happens after dealing with the earthquake.

This will depend on how much the foreign policy and geopolitical orientations of Turkey and Armenia will coincide by that time.

Cooperation at the regional level between Armenia and Turkey will acquire new prospects. And if Turkey’s policy is the same as it was before and after the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh, if it does not change its perception of its role in the South Caucasus, then we will become witnesses of serious contradictions.

And in such conditions it will be impossible to talk about any promising prospects. Today some opportunities are opening up, but again, but it is almost impossible to predict how these opportunities can be realized.”

Armenian-Turkish relations

https://jam-news.net/armenian-turkish-relations-849/


Turkish press: Azerbaijan, Armenia agree to step up efforts for peace treaty

Eduard Nalbandian
 ANKARA SEP 01, 2022 – 10:03 AM GMT+3

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian are welcomed by European Council President Charles Michel (C) in Brussels, Belgium, Aug. 31, 2022. (EPA Photo)

Baku and Yerevan on Wednesday agreed to step up their efforts to establish a peace treaty after six weeks of fighting over the Karabakh region in 2020, European Council President Charles Michel said.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian met with Michel in Brussels in a fourth such format and discussed the recent developments in the South Caucasus.

According to a statement released by the EU, Michel described the talks as “open and productive.”

He said further that the two countries’ foreign ministers would also meet within a month to work on draft texts.

“We reviewed progress on all questions related to the delimitation of the border and how best to ensure a stable situation. We agreed that the next meeting of the Border Commissions will take place in Brussels in November,” Michel said.

Humanitarian issues, including demining, detainees and the fate of missing persons, were also on the agenda of the trilateral meeting.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military illegally occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

Clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, with the Armenian Army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces, violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and around 300 settlements and villages that had been occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

The fighting ended with a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020, which was seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia.

However, the cease-fire has been broken several times since then.

In January 2021, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It also included the establishment of a trilateral working group in Karabakh.

After the conflict ended, Azerbaijan launched a massive reconstruction initiative in the liberated Karabakh region.

In July, Azerbaijan began the process of returning its people to land recaptured from Armenian forces in what Baku calls “The Great Return.” The oil-rich country has vowed to repopulate the recaptured lands.

Unblocking the transport links was also discussed between Michel, Aliyev and Pashinian.

“I would like to underline that it is important to support the population on both sides and prepare them for a long-term sustainable peace,” Michel said.

The next meeting will be held by the end of November.

Baku has found more than 1,300 mines laid by Armenian troops in the Lachin region, which lies between Karabakh and Armenia, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

During the last two weeks, a total of 1,318 mines have been detected in anti-personnel minefields, the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the mines were produced by Armenia in 2021 after the Second Karabakh War.

The ministry noted that in line with international law, the 1997 Ottawa Convention banned the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel land mines.

Furthermore, it said, Armenia violates the requirements of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and “disrespects” the international community by planting anti-personnel mines.

“All of this is a deliberate crime against peace and security in the region and the environment, which once again demonstrates the hostile intentions of Armenia,” the ministry concluded.

Turkish tourists, Armenians reportedly clash in Vedi

Eduard Nalbandian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia – Sept 1 2022
September 1, 2022 – 13:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Individuals involved in an incident in the Armenian town of of Vedi have been detained, police said on Monday, September 1.

The incident reportedly involved Turkish-speaking tourists and Armenian locals, Sputnik Armenia reports. In a video published online, a man and a woman are seen exiting a minibus with Turkish license plates, after which the man addresses the residents of the town in Turkish.

Eyewitnesses noted that Turkish people got drunk and began to insult Armenians, while the woman tried to raise the Turkish flag.

The police said that the incident took place between Armenians and foreigners, without specifying their nationality.